December 3, 2004 VOL. 4, No 49

Sponsored by:

Bay Mills Resort and Casino/Wild Bluff-Brimley
Web: http://www.4baymills.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show11/index.html

Treetops: Great Golf and Great Skiing
Web: http://treetops.com
Video: Rick Smith and The Big Break II Now on the Golf Channel Tuesdays/9:00 PM
http://thegolfchannel.com 17th Annual West Michigan Golf Show at Devos Place, February 4-6
Web: http://westmichigangolfshow.com

Lansing Golf Show, The Lansing Center, February 25-27
Web: http://michigangolfshow.com

Michigan Golf Show, Novi Expo, March 11-13
Web: http://michigangolfshow.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show1/index.html

Park Place Hotel
Web: http://park-place-hotel.com
Video: http://michigantravel.tv/2003famtrip/

GLSP Television Network- Now Showing
Michigan Travel http://michigantravel.tv
Silver Lake/ Hart Area

Michigan Skier http://michiganskier.tv
History of Crystal Mountain Resort

Michigan Runner http://michiganrunner.tv
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon

Michigan Golfer http://michigangolfer.tv
Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino

  Edited by Art McCafferty-Publisher, Michigan Golfer

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__/ MGN ON THE ROAD
Troy
__/ GOT TOP STORIES OF 2004?
__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION
__/ TELEMARKETING COMES TO CELL PHONES
__/ AVALANCHE BAY WATERPARK-BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
__/ ARTHUR HILLS/STEVE FORREST AND ASSOCIATES CONTINUE TO GATHER AWARD HARDWARE
__/ GOOGLE TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO ONLINE VIDEO
__/ LONDON GOLF AND TRAVEL SHOW DATES
__/ LOST GOLF BALLS, FOUND
__/ 19TH HOLE-GOLF BOOKS FORE DUMMIES
__/ GOT DATES?
__/ CALENDAR OF GOLF EVENTS
__/ MICHIGAN GOLF NEWS ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIBERS
__/ ASSOCIATION LINKS
*** MGN ON THE ROAD
Troy-MGCOA
The Michigan Golf Course Owners Assocation held their annual conference, "There's No Business Like Golf Business", at Troy's Somerset Inn this past week. The MGCOA rolled out the red carpet for members and guests alike for the Sunday evening mixer. Adult beverages were available and most in the room found that to be delightful feature.

The MGCOA conference provided a respite from the challenges the 2004 golf year. At the conference, golf owners assemble, attend educational seminars, recreate and then prepare for the challenges of another year. As usual the MGCOA team with Kate Moore and John Dodge and staff put together an informative agenda.

Highlights from this year included, honoring the Turf Grass program at MSU that is celebrating its 75th year and Timberstone GC, that was named the MGCOA golf course of the year.

Conference goer Janina Jacobs indicated that her Michigan Golf Weekly television show has been renewed for next year. She co hosts the show with Jeff Lesson. Ed Muir says they are working at making the former Michigan Golf Club, now the Huntsmore Club, into a far friendlier course. They have cut back the rough and are removing trees and undergrowth wherever they can. Jim Scott, who was responsible for driving Ryder Cup players around the course, indicated he was disappointed in the way the American Ryder Cup players interacted with the golfing public. Frank Guastella of the UP's Red Fox Run was estatic that the UP now has two representatives in MGCOA with the addition of the Timberstone folks.

Program speakers included Kevin Michael,Nancy Berkley, Larry Gulko, Stewart Healey,Tim Skubick,Mike LaFaive and Eric Rule.

For complete information on the conference, we suggest you monitor their website @ http://mgcoa.org You can also catch the remarks of Dave Lorenz of Travel Michigan at http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show27/

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GOT TOP STORIES OF 2004?
MGN is preparing its list of Top Ten stories for the year and would certainly like to hear from our subscribers. Obviously, The Ryder Cup was the big story, but what other events deserve to make our annual list. Send suggestions to Art McCafferty at artmccaf@glsp.com Those that submit items, will get the highly prized "Tip of the Tam" electronic nod from MGN.

Here is last year's Top Ten...

Top Ten Michigan Golf Stories for 2003
(Random order except the passing of Jack Saylor)

Passing of Jack Saylor
Jack Saylor of loud pants, Rube Goldberg swing and deft hands at a piano keyboard, left us after a year of poor health. He was one of the top golf quills in Michigan and left a legacy of intelligent writing behind him.

Michelle Wie Plays in Bay Mills Open Canadian Tour The media tent at Bay Mills Open Canadian Tour was crowded and abuzz about the tournament appearance of Michelle Wie, the 13-year-old Hawaiian phenomenon.. While she did not make the cut, she made enough of an impression to give her many fans a glimpse f what should be a bright professional future.

Captains Courageous at Oakland Hills
Captains Langer and Sutton visited the revered Oakland Hills CC to promote the upcoming Ryder Cup. The eyes of the world will once more be focused on the Oakland Hills North and South courses that have been worked on by the likes of architects Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones and Arthur Hills.

Michigan Architect Tom Doak on the Path to Becoming World Renown
Tom Doak, one of a number of superb Michigan based golf architects, has begun his foray into a body of work that will propel him into the stature of an internationally renowned golf architect. Fresh off his award winning work at Pacific Dunes, Tom now finds himself designing courses in New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania.

Tiger Defends at the Buick Open
Happiness was having Tiger as defending champion of your tournament. His appearance this year brought out the sponsors, the galleries and the media. While Tiger did not win here this year, he still won enough tournaments to become PGA Player of the Year. The Buick sponsorship has produced a feeling that Tiger has a little Michigan in him.

"The Big Break" Debuts at Treetops Resort
The Golf Channel's first reality show had a decidedly Michigan bent to it as Rich Smith and Treetops Resort provided the hosting and location of the program. Also, Anthony Sorentino, the unabashed golfer from Rochester Hills, finished second in the tournament but first in attitude.

Stacy Snider Wins the Tournament of Champions at Boyne
In the Year of the Woman Golfer, Stacy Snider put the Michigan exclamation point on it by becoming the first female to win the 54-hole, $100,000 Michigan PGA of Champions. Her payoff was a check for $17,250 and a legion of new admirers.

Michigan Amateur Returns to Belvedere CC
The Michigan Amateur returned to its roots this year. The Belvedere CC in Charlevoix, which had hosted the tournament on many occasions in the past, had a substantial make over in the past few years. This among other reasons brought Michiganās most famous amateur event back to it storied roots.

Fox Hills Rakes in the Accolades
The year started out, by the Fox Hills folks being awarded the national course of the year by the NGCOA (National Golf Course Owners Association). It concluded by Kathy Dul Aznavorian, Sandy Dul Miley and their mother, grabbing a host of awards from the MGCOA. Architects Ray Hearn and Paul Albanese, also took their share of bows for the design of the award winning Strategic Fox.

Lights, Camera, Action-Michigan Golf on Television
Television cameras were all over Michigan this year. Network television carried The Buick Open, Farmers Charity Classic and the Ford Senior Players Championship. The Golf Channel stepped up to the tee, by telecasting The Bay Mills Open Canadian Tour and "The Big Break". ESPN was on hand to capture the action at the Tylenol Par Three Shootout..Finally, The Michigan Golfer televised, the 101st Western Amateur, The Bank of Ann Arbor Futures Classic, The Fifth Third Bank Michigan Women's Open. The Haig Tournament, Jeff Daniels Comedy Golf Jam, and the Bay Mills Open Canadian Tour to a worldwide audience on the Internet. http://www.webgolfer.com/news/010204.html

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MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION
The Impact of the Ryder Cup on Michigan Golf with Dave Lorenz Michigan had its time to bask in the glow of International golf this year by hosting the Ryder Cup. The State of Michigan put in a nice chunk of change into marketing the state's golf and business climate through the Ryder Cup experience. in this week's show, Jennie McCafferty talks with V.P of Travel Michigan, Dave Lorenz,about his thoughts on the Ryder Cup and the state's golf plan for 2005. http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show27/

Birdies, Eagles and Elk at Thunder Bay Resort As fall concludes and winter approaches, those looking for an interesting trip, might want to book a weekend at Thunder Bay Resort. They will soon begin their popular Elk Tour winter sleigh rides. Governor Granholm stopped by Thunder Bay Resort as part of her Michigan Hidden Treasures Tour earlier this year. Our show, shows off the elk and also the legendary Jack Matthais, as he wails on his elk horn. http://michigantravel.tv/2004thunderbay/index.html

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TELEMARKETING COMES TO CELL PHONES
Creig Kelley, indicates that the Federal Trade Commission. has passed on the following information.

In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

To stop the calls, you need to call this number from your cell phone, 888-382-1222. It is the national DoNot Call list. It blocks your number for 5 years.

***
AVALANCHE BAY WATERPARK-BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Julie Ard is telling all that the "Grand Opening" of Avalanche Bay Waterpark is scheduled to take place just prior to Memorial Day weekend 2005. This is when you and your family members will have the first chance to enjoy all of the adventures fun that Avalanche Bay has to offer during this celebration, including many waterpark firsts. http://www.boynemountain.com.

--------------ADV------------------------------------------------------------
Song of the Lakes

Song of the Lakes, Michigan's "new folk" musicians, will appear tonight at the Traverse City Opera House. They incorporate a range of genres including Celtic, Scandinavian, Latin, acoustic rock and Great Lakes World Music. A special rate is available at the Park Place Hotel http://park-place-hotel.com/for those that want to stay over after the show.

Concert details: Friday, December 3, TC City Opera House 8:00 p.m., Tickets for $20 available at Horizon Books, Borders Books, Oryana, Nolan's or @ http://www.songofthelakes.com, or by calling 231-947-0398.

-----------------------------------------------------------ADV-----------------
ARTHUR HILLS/STEVE FORREST AND ASSOCIATES CONTINUE TO GATHER AWARD HARDWARE

Iron Bridge Golf Club joins Bay Harbor Golf Club, Longaberger Golf Club and the Links of Lighthouse Sound all designed by Arthur Hills / Steve Forrest and Associates on GOLF Magazine's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play". Iron Bridge was designed by Arthur Hills and Chris Wilczynski, Senior Partner at Hills/Forrest, which officially opened for play in July of 2003.

For more information on Iron Bridge Golf Club visit the website at http://www.Ironbridgeclub.com

*** GOOGLE TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO ONLINE VIDEO

Google is beginning to add video programming to the company's search tools. According to CNet News, the company (GOOG) is recording live TV shows and indexing closed-caption text of the programming to capture keyword data for searches. The report added that Google has contacted broadcasters to both avoid legal problems and to try to develop a way to make money with such a service. One possibility would be to give the programmers ads selling DVDs of programs

Google,our online television shows http://michigangolfer.tv, http://michiganskier.tv, http://michiganrunner.tv, and http://michigantravel.tv await you.

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LOST GOLF BALLS, FOUND
I got some swag in the mail, actually a pair of "Visiball" glasses from the Visiball people. They claim that their Visiball golf ball finding glasses have specially designed lenses that blocks foliage and grass from a player's field of view.We took three balls outside and dropped them into the high grass, put on the glasses and easily found them. It makes light turn into a blue glow and the balls pop right out in your view. Great product.
Joe Ebeling at 314.436.9333, ext. 22, has all the info.

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LONDON GOLF AND TRAVEL SHOW DATES Show Dates: February 11 to 13, 2005 Venue: Western Fair Event Center, London, Ontario, Canada For a look at what goes on at the show, visit http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show3/index.html

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19TH HOLE-GOLF BOOKS FORE DUMMIES
Chapter 1 * How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt
Chapter 2 * How to Hit a Nike from the Rough When You Hit a Titleist From the Tee
Chapter 3 * How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a Bunker
Chapter 4 * How to Get More Distance Off the Shank
Chapter 5 * When to Give the Ranger the Finger
Chapter 6 * Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings
Chapter 7 * Crying and How to Handle it
Chapter 8 * Proper Excuses for Drinking Beers Before 10am
Chapter 9 * How to Rationalize a 6 Hour Round
Chapter 10 * How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in the Water
Chapter 11 * Why Your Spouse Doesn't Care That You Birdied the 5th
Chapter 12 * How to Let a Foursome Play Through Your Twosome
Chapter 13 * How to Relax When You Are Hitting Three Off the Tee
Chapter 14 * When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your Opponent
Chapter 15 * God and the Meaning of the Birdie-to-Bogey Three Putt
Appendix * When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever

Thanks and a Tip of the Tam to Jim Neff and Jack Minzey for submitting this nice holiday read.

***
GOT DATES?
We are gearing up for 2005, so make sure you let us know the upcoming dates of your tournaments, educational seminars or golf shows. Just email them to Art McCafferty artmccaf@glsp.com

***
Michigan Golf Calendar 2005

JANUARY

01-27-30 PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, FL
Web: http://pgamerchandiseshow.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show2/index.html FEBRUARY

02/04-06 West Michigan Golf Show, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids
http://westmichigangolfshow.com
02/8-12 NGCOA Solutions Summit Conf., Rosen Plaza, Orlando
http://ngcoa.org
02/10-12 Golf Industry Show, Orlando
http://ngcoa.org
02/11-13 London Golf and Travel Show, London, Ontario
Web: http://golf-show.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show3/index.html
02/25-27 Lansing Golf Show, Lansing Center, Lansing
http://michigangolfshow.com
MARCH

03/05 Midland Golf Show, Valley Plaza Resort
03/05-6 Lakeshore Golf Show and Travel Show
Contact: SueNielsen@whitehall.k12.mi.us
03/11-13 Michigan Golf Show, Novi Expo, Novi
Web: http://michigangolfshow.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show1/index.html

JUNE

06/06 10th Annual and Final Jeff Daniels Comedy Golf Jam, Polo
Fields GC, Ann Arbor
http://michigangolfer.tv/2004/show22/index.html

July

07/01-04 U.S. Women's Open, Orchards GC South Hadley, Mass
07/04-10 Ford Senior Players Championship, TPC of Michigan, Dearborn
http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/s507/
07/11-15 88th Western Junior, Blythefield. C.C. Belmont, MI
http://www.westerngolfassociation.com/
07/11-17 British Open, St. Andrews , St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland
07/25-31 103rd Western Amateur Point O¹Woods G. & C.C. Benton Harbor, Michigan
http://www.westerngolfassociation.com/
07/25-31 Buick Open, Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Mich.

August
08/05-08 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger, Highland Meadows GC Sylvania, Ohio
08/08-14 PGA Championship, Baltusrol GC, Springfield, N.J.

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MICHIGAN GOLF CALENDAR 2006

09/22-24 The 36th Ryder Cup The K Club in Straffan, Ireland
http://rydercup.com

*** MICHIGAN GOLF NEWS ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIBERS

Golf Association of Michigan
http://www.gam.org
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
http://mgcoa.org
Michigan PGA
http://michigan.pga.com
Michigan Women's Golf Association, MWGA
http://www.mwgolf.org
Michigan State Amateur Golf Association
Dick Loring-skillplay@aol.com
mailto:skillplay@aol.com
Upper Peninsula Golf Association
http://upga.org

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ASSOCIATION LINKS

American Association of Golf Course Architects
http://asgca.org
Golf Association of Michigan
http://www.gam.org
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
http://www.gcsaa.org
Michigan Section PGA
http://www.Michigan.PGA.com
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
http://mgcoa.org
Michigan High School Athletic Association
http://www.mhsaa.com/
Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
http://migca.com
National Golf Course Owners Association
http://ngcoa.org
National Golf Foundation
http://ngf.org